Indonesia Repatriates Thousands of Trafficking Victims Lured by Fake Jobs

TheIndonesia.co - The Indonesian government has successfully repatriated thousands of citizens who were deceived by fraudulent job offers and became victims of human trafficking overseas.

According to Antara News Agency, as of February 2025, the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) reported that approximately 6,800 Indonesians are believed to have been lured into human trafficking schemes abroad. In a statement, PCO spokesperson Philips J. Vermonte emphasized the importance of protecting Indonesian citizens and migrant workers, which remains a top priority in the country's diplomatic efforts. This was further highlighted by Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono in the 2025 Annual Press Statement.

The National Police began the repatriation process on January 4, 2025, starting with 16 Indonesian citizens from Vietnam who had fallen victim to online fraud. On January 17, the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok also assisted in bringing back two human trafficking victims who had been coerced into working in online fraud schemes.

On February 20, 46 Indonesian citizens were repatriated from Myawaddy, Myanmar, followed by another 84 citizens a week later from the same region. According to Vermonte, Myanmar is one of the ten primary destination countries for illegal employment of Indonesian citizens.

Myawaddy, a conflict zone on the Myanmar-Thailand border, has become notorious for cybercrimes, including crypto fraud, money laundering, and online gambling. Armed groups in the region protect criminal operations that exploit migrant workers, including those lured to work in Thailand with the promise of high-paying jobs, only to be forced into fraudulent online activities under strict surveillance.

Vermonte shared that many of the victims are unable to return home due to the protection provided by armed groups, and those who attempt to escape face severe torture.

To prevent future exploitation, the government has urged the public to exercise caution when considering job offers abroad. "Do not fall for job advertisements that promise high salaries, quick processing, and lack transparency," Vermonte cautioned.

The PCO also provided three preventive measures for job seekers: avoid overseas job offers that seem too good to be true, verify the legitimacy of job providers and their recruitment processes, and ensure the validity of travel documents and visas before traveling abroad.